Today has been a good day. Not a great day (no waiver news) but a good day. The last news I heard on the waiver was that our contact in the Senator’s office was going to have her superior call DHS in Nairobi and try to get an update/put pressure on. I put a call into the Embassy here and they were very encouraging (they are the ones that will receive the waiver and then issue the visa). They understand the situation, and have promised to keep checking the mail, and said that the moment it is received, they will issue her visa and call us (there is no more processing that will need to be done). So, there is not much more we can do at this point.

Belane has been awesome today…she is not so much testing me as she is acting her age. She has the most amazing personality…she is strong-willed but very happy-go-lucky, so even if she hurts herself or gets upset about something, she gets over it really quickly (especially now that she has fully embraced the concept of mommy kisses making things better!)

She sings and she sings and she sings. She is going down for sleep easier…as long as part of her is touching part of me, she settles down pretty quickly at nap and bedtime. She is a big tease…she’ll go to give you something and then snatch it back and laugh…she loves to play “hide and seek” and chase. She likes piggy back rides and tickles and razzberries on her belly. She’ll pull her dress up to tease me, and then whip it back down. She has the funniest little run…and she giggles while she runs. Yup, she’s certifiably adorable.

I took her to a play ground today and she didn’t want to go on anything at first…then she decided to try and merrygoround and she really liked that. She decided to try the slide, but wanted me to put her up on the slide and then catch her…she was afraid to go up the steps. She enjoyed the slide enough that I could convince her to try the steps, and then she was hooked. She got brave at the end, but still wanted me right next to her.

She is a very girlie girl…she loves her bows and headbands and hats and tights and dresses. Even on the merrygoround she would stop and adjust her dress. I brought pink tennis shoes and white mary janes, and she has no use for the pink tennies. She also likes to brush my hair. She’ll fit right in with all the other girls at home!

She has a big old sweettooth, but will also happily eat peanuts, raisins, jerky, fruit…honestly she hasn’t turned down much. She really likes cheese, and will pick it off of pizza, lasagna, cheeseburgers and anything else.

She won’t go far from me, even “out and about”, which I love. (And she is so dang cute, that lots of people try to get her to come visit them).

She’s my little love bug. I couldn’t have picked a more perfect child for our family. I guess that’s why it is important to listen sometimes when God picks something for you.

We had a nice lunch and then a nap, and have taken it easy this afternoon…laughing and playing and bonding.

We’re going to have dinner with Denise tonight, since after 24 hours I am very ready for some adult conversation. :)